Friday, February 24, 2012

Gordon Emerson died on February 20, 2012, after a brief illness. Born
in Blue Hill on September 18, 1926, the son of Helen (Chapman) and Horton W. Emerson, Sr., he loved his childhood in the village. His
grandparents lived around the corner, and he and his older brother, and their cousins and friends grew up together, getting into boyhood mischief.
During those years, his lifelong love for his town was forged, as he
explored every stream and every byway, and learned the story of each
building. For his first schooling, he had only to go next door to the
brick schoolhouse. From there he went to the new Blue Hill Consolidated
school, and then graduated from George Stevens Academy in 1944. After
graduation, he immediately enlisted in the Army, as a member of Army
Company C, 160th Infantry, stationed in China and the Philippines during
World War II. His war experiences, rarely
spoken of, left him with a permanent distaste for violent solutions and
conflict, an attitude that would serve him and his community well in
years to come.

On May 4, 1952, he married Fausta Torrey of South Blue Hill. After working for Emerson &
Slaven Heating Oils and its successor firm, he went into the real
estate business. He was also a partner with his wife in the antiques
business they started together in 1964, enjoying many an afternoon
ramble into the countryside attending estate auctions, enjoying the
thrill of the chase. He was an expert craftsman, using skills inherited
from his father and grandfather, and a favorite spare-time pursuit was
furniture restoration, using his eye and talent to make a fine piece
whole again.

Always active in community affairs, he found his true calling when
asked to run as selectman of Blue Hill in 1962. The job was a perfect
outlet for his keen intellect, patience and diplomatic instincts and
above all, humor. He helped guide and lead the affairs of the town he
loved for the next 42 years. Over the years he also served as a member
of the Blue Hill Volunteer Fire Department, as a member of the Hancock
County Democratic Committee (he was proud of once being accused of being
one of the three most liberal people in Blue Hill, not intended by the accuser as a compliment), and had served as a trustee of the Blue Hill Public
Library, the Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, and the Jonathan Fisher
Memorial, in addition to countless community based committees.

As were his ancestors, Gordon Emerson was keenly attuned to the
seasons, always ready to check a stream for the first run of the season
and he and his wife shared the afternoon pleasures of finding the first
wild blooms of spring, the first berries of summer, and the harvest of
their vegetable garden. He was an extraordinary man by any measure, and
is already sorely missed by his family.

In addition to Fausta, his wife of 60 years, of Blue Hill, he is
survived by a daughter, Candace Emerson of Belfast, and a son, Brad
Emerson of Blue Hill, as well as by his sister-in-law Anne (Haynes)
Emerson of Gorham, nieces Jane E. Gavin of Hiram, and Sarah E. Potter of
Lewiston, and nephew John W. Emerson of Gorham. He was predeceased by
his brother, H.W. Emerson, Jr.

A private family service is planned. A memorial service to celebrate
his life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the
family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Hill
Public Library.